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Language is topic for Nunberg talks, Nov. 11, 13 and 14

Posted November 8, 2002; 05:34 p.m.

by etu

Geoffrey Nunberg, a visiting fellow in linguistics and in the Council of the Humanities, will present three lectures on campus.

He will discuss "What Makes Proper Names Proper?" on Monday, Nov. 11, in McCosh 62. Then Nunberg will speak on "Language Questions" on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in McCosh 10. And on Thursday, Nov. 14, he will address "The Question of Common Language" in McCosh 10. All talks begin at 4:30 p.m.

Nunberg studies the impact of information technology on language, culture and society, and the effects of language policy on education, politics and the economy. He is a senior researcher at the Center for the Study of Language and Information and a consulting professor in the linguistics department at Stanford University.

He is the author of "The Way We Talk Now" (2001) and has written numerous articles for publications including The Atlantic, The American Prospect, California Lawyer and major newspapers. Nunberg does a regular feature on language on National Public Radio's "Fresh Air," and he is usage editor and chair of the usage panel of the American Heritage Dictionary.

As a member of the Linguistic Society of America, Nunberg has helped organize opposition to the English-only movement. He also has been a linguistics expert in legal cases, including serving as a witness for the group of Native Americans who successfully petitioned the Trademark Commission to cancel the mark of the Washington Redskins.